“Aruba, Jamaica,” the song goes. “Bermuda, Bahamas.” Yup, the Caribbean rules when it comes to favorite ports of call. We recently asked our 38,000-plus fans on Facebook what port, first visited on a cruise, calls you back again. And, boy, did they let us know.

Although Kokomo (yeah, we’re humming the words to the Beach Boys classic) wasn’t mentioned — mostly since it’s now a renamed privately owned island, but Jamaica was noted — St. Thomas and St. Maarten got lots of love, too. Mexico and Central America ports got a holla, too. Kara DeStefano called out to Roatan: “It’s clean, fun, no tender, it’s not build up… and the Hurricane Hole is SUCH a good time.”

Still, there’s more to cruising than the Caribbean. Mediterranean ports weren’t without their devotees, especially Santorini, Istanbul and Venice. Rebecca Frost Chatham wants to return to Venice because her first visit was hampered by a stroller with her 2-year-old in it. Yeah, not exactly the best accessory for romance.

Alaska ports and Vancouver got a shout-out or two, though Owen Hargreaves insists Galapagos beats Alaska. Baltic ports weren’t left out in the cold, either. Hawaii, the South Pacific — Kimberly Sullivan Hale loves French Polynesia — and New Zealand got a few mentions. And little Catalina got some kudos from nearby California native Frank Perez, for whom it took a cruise to get him there.

We’ll give Kelly Bowlus the final word. Her response? “Any of them. Get me outta here.”

Since most folks seemed to be in a Caribbean mood, though, vote below for your favorite island port.

Comments

First visit to Roatan last yr…like the cleanliness and courteous islanders..
Easy port to get on and off NCL ship..

Carol June 24th, 2011 @ 7:54 pm

Why wasn’t Belize on the list? There is so much to do there for shore excursions it’s my favorite!

chestnutt June 24th, 2011 @ 8:49 pm

Cartagena, by a long shot!!!! Wonderful shopping; amazing eats at the local bar. Fresh calamari, Serrano ham and wonderful cheeses and fresh warm bread. Gorgeous inexpensive wines to boot! Great service, low prices and a fabulous lunch. To die for!!!!

Back to Spain ASAP!!!

Mimi Auchter June 25th, 2011 @ 7:08 am

St Johns, USVI, is the best Caribbean island — it’s gorgeous & so far, pretty much unspoiled. Some of the British V.I. are also better than those shown on the list. Snorkeling is a great activity in any of the Virgin Islands.

Judy June 27th, 2011 @ 9:03 pm

St. Thomas (or Grand Cayman) for the shopping! My favorite jeweler — Bernard K. Passman. What wonderful black coral. And they tell you \go out in the street and look at it in it sunlight\. Wow.

Gayle June 27th, 2011 @ 11:48 pm

Definitely St. John for snorkeling and St. Maarten for everything else! Wish I was there right now!!